Subskill # 11
Construct Meaning: Supporting Evidence Part I
Read the passage below and then answer the questions.
excerpt was taken from www.go.grolier.com.
The following
Florence Nightingale, an Englishwoman, was the founder of modern nursing
and a pioneer in hygiene and sanitation. She was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence,
Italy, the younger of two daughters. Florence was brought up in great luxury in
England and was tutored by her father in English literature, history, philosophy, and
several languages. In 1837, at age 17, she wrote that she had heard the voice of
God calling her to service. Several years later, she decided that this had been a call
to nurse the sick.
Her family strongly opposed this choice. Nursing was considered unsuitable
for a lady, and Florence was expected to devote herself instead to a husband, family,
and social activities. She did not want this kind of life, however, and refused to
marry.
In 1851, Nightingale traveled to Kaiserswerth, Germany, to gain nursing
experience and soon became an expert on hospital administration. In 1853 she took
her first post--managing a small hospital for women on Harley Street in London
(later called the Florence Nightingale Hospital for Gentlewomen). She revolutionized
the hospital's administration by emphasizing training for nurses and better patient
care.
In 1854, shortly after the Crimean War broke out (between Russia, Britain,
France, the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia), news reached London of the
terrible state of hospitals in the Russian Crimea (a peninsula in the Black Sea).
Because Nightingale had been so successful with her hospital in London, Sidney
Herbert, war secretary for the British government, asked her to recruit nurses to
care for war victims. On October 21, 1854, she and 38 nurses sailed for the Crimea.
There they found more than 5,000 wounded and sick soldiers in so-called hospitals:
bare, unsanitary buildings with no facilities for medical care.
After Nightingale's assignment was reported in the British press, readers of
the London Times raised funds to help her with her work. At first she made
improvements in the patients' meals. She then equipped the hospitals and made
them sanitary, and also inspected each ward daily. Although she encountered
resistance from those who did not want a woman involved with such matters, she
eventually triumphed and saved many lives.
When Nightingale returned to England in 1856, she was hailed as a heroine
but refused all honors and went into seclusion. Although many believed she had
died, she had actually come home to continue her work for the soldiers. She believed
that personal popularity would create prejudices against her in the government.
Quietly, unknown to the public, she worked for army reform. In this she was
encouraged by Queen Victoria and helped by Sidney Herbert. For the first time, army
living conditions were scientifically examined and stricter health and sanitary
measures were adopted. In 1858, Nightingale published a lengthy report on army
hospitals. She also published many other works, including a short book for the
general public on basic nursing care.
Florence Nightingale's study of army hospitals led her to work with civilian
hospitals and public health. In 1860, with donated money, she opened the
Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital, London. This was
the beginning of modern nursing. Women all over the world were increasingly drawn
to the nursing profession, particularly in the United States during the Civil War
(1861-65).
Vocational Preparatory Instruction
Reading
Subskill # 11
Construct Meaning: Supporting Evidence Part I
Although Nightingale became an invalid due to illness contracted during the
war, she continued working for several more years and assisted the British War
Office. She drew up regulations, reported on plans for new barracks, and reviewed
papers on sanitation. In 1907 she became the first woman to receive the British
Order of Merit. She died in London at age 90 on August 13, 1910.
Now choose the best answer for each question.
1. The first sentence states that
Florence Nightingale was “the
founder of modern nursing.”
Which of these means the same
as the phrase?
A. She found a nurse.
B. She
established
foundry.
a
C. She started nursing as
we know it today.
D. She created a nursery.
2. Which of these is evidence that
her family did not want her to
become a nurse?
A. Her family strongly
opposed this choice.
B. She refused to get
married.
3. Which of these ideas from the
passage is the best evidence
that
Florence
Nightingale
drastically changed hospital
care?
A. She revolutionized the
hospital’s administration
by emphasizing training
for nurses and better
patient care.
B. She and 38 nurses
sailed for the Crimean.
C. She took her first post in
Germany.
D. She was tutored by her
father in English
literature, history,
philosophy, and several
languages.
C. She wanted social
activities.
D. Nursing was suitable for
a lady.
Vocational Preparatory Instruction
Reading
Subskill # 11
Construct Meaning: Supporting Evidence Part I
4. Which of these statements
supports the idea that Florence
Nightingale worked for army
reform?
A. She published a short
book on basic nursing
care.
B. For the first time, army
living conditions were
scientifically examined
and stricter health and
sanitary measures were
adopted.
6. Which of these is evidence that
Florence Nightingale did not
seek personal recognition for
her good works?
A. Although hailed as a
heroine, Florence
Nightingale refused
public acclaim.
B. She also published many
other works, including a
short work for the
general public on basic
nursing care.
C. She believed that
personal popularity
would create problems
with the government.
C. She was encouraged by
Queen Victoria and
helped by Sidney
Herbert.
D. She returned to England
and went into seclusion.
D. Her assignments were
reported in the British
press.
5. Which of these does not
support the idea that Florence
Nightingale
changed
war
victims’ health care for the
better?
A. She improved patients’
meals.
B. She equipped the
hospitals and made
them sanitary.
C. She inspected the wards
daily.
D. Her assignment was
reported in the British
press.
7. Which of these statements from
the passage does not support
the
idea
that
Florence
Nightingale’s experience with
the military contributed to
improvements in public health?
A. Florence Nightingale
became an invalid due
to illness contracted
during the war.
B. Florence Nightingale
study of army hospitals
led her to work with
civilian hospitals.
C. Because of Florence
Nightingale’s work all
over the world, women
were drawn to the
nursing profession.
D. She opened the
Nightingale Training
School.
Vocational Preparatory Instruction
Reading
Subskill # 11
Construct Meaning: Supporting Evidence Part I
8. The sixth line in the fourth
paragraph states that “There
they found more than five
thousand wounded and sick
soldiers in so-called hospitals.”
Which of these means the same
as “so-called”?
A. popularly known as
B. nicknamed
C. called socially
D. having the name but not
the attributes
9. Which of these statements
would make Florence
Nightingale a typical woman of
her times?
A. She changed hospital
life for soldiers.
B. She refused to get
married.
C. She and 38 nurses cared
for Crimean War victims.
D. She devoted herself to a
husband, family, and
social activities.
10. Which of these statements is
best supported by the passage?
A. Nursing is still
considered unsuitable
for ladies.
B. The nursing profession
owes its present status
to the extraordinary
works of Florence
Nightingale.
C. Nurses today are called
to service by the voice
of God.
D. The nursing profession
began in Florence, Italy
in 1820.
Vocational Preparatory Instruction
Reading
Subskill # 11
Construct Meaning: Supporting Evidence Part I
Answer Key
1.
C
2.
A
3.
A
4.
B
5.
D
6.
A
7.
C
8.
D
9.
D
10. B
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